Mechanical figure wheeled toy



Jan. 17, 1928.

1,656,732 G. w. eouu:

MECHANICAL FIGURE WHEELED TOY Filed Aug. 8, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Auorney ill Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

unease w. GOULD,

or ooLBY, KANSAS;

mncnnivrcnn FIGURE wnnnnnn TOY..

Application ficcl August. 8, 192?. Serial No. 211,519.

This invention relates to what is believed to be a novel mechanical toy of the figure wheeled type.

The invention, it is submitted, is repre sentative of a new endeavor in the construction of a toy. Considerable experimentation in this line of invention has enabled me to evolve and produce a simple and inexpensive structure which is individualized by inexpensive structure,and further characterized by distinguishing features, which represent an original conception.

Briefly, I provide a wheel supported frame which is adapted to be pulled over a pavement or other surface through the medium of a cord. Mounted on this frame is a circular runway or track in the form of a stationary table, and connected with the center of the table is a vertically disposed propeller shaft receiving motion from the" ground en aging wheels on the frame, and connected with this shaft through the medium of pivotally mounted arms are toy automobiles which are moved rapidly over the round runway as the toy is pulled along.

The purpose of the invention is to develop something which embodied individuality in construction as well as appearance and principle of operation, somethin which it is believed will provoke considerable amuse ment for children. i

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a top plan view of a toy constructed in accordance with the inven- 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view, and

if ig. 4 is a central section through the same showing the drive more plainly.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, it will be observed, that the reference haracter 5 designates generally a frame. This comprises a pair of side bars 6 having their major portions disposed in spaced parallelism. The rear end portions are directed inwardly toward each other, as at 7 and fastened together as at 8.

The forward end portions are disposed in converging relation as at 9 and come together at 10 and are fastened to a supporting bracket 11. Beyond this bracket the bars are formed into a yoke 12 for the front wheel 13. This yoke may be constructed at its front end to accommodate a pull cord or the like 13. Located within the rear end of the frame is a transversely extending rotatably mounted axle 14 upon which the ground engaging wheels 15 are mounted. Incidentally, the wheels may be of any suitablejconstruction, being preferably of the disk type and having rubbertires. j a

Connected tofthe side bars forwardly of thean'lele is an arch 16 which together with the aforesaid bracket 11 provides support ing means fora circular table 17, which may be of any appropriate material, and is preferably flat on top. It is screwed or other-' wise secured to the arch and bracket in the manner shown. i i y The top surface is designed or otherwise fantastically formed to represent an annular raceway or track for a pair of smallfcars generally desigi'iated at 18 and l9. The cars will be of different colors, and to include imitation drivers, in order that they may be conveniently selected for racing.

Each car is providedwith a centrally located rigidly mounted arm '20. These arms are flattened somewhat, and connected to the bifurcated upper end of a propeller shaft 21. The propeller shaft extends down through central openings in the table and is mounted in suitable bearings formed in the superposed U-shapedstraps 22, which are riveted or otherwisefastened to the side bars of the frame as shown plainly in Fig. 4.

Keyed or otherwise fastened to this shaft and confined between the bight portion of the U shaped members 22 is a propeller pulley disposed in a horizontal plane as shown.

1 This pulley receives motion from a belt or strap 2%, which is trained thereover, and then twisted when trained over a smaller driving pulley. 25, fastened on the aforesaid axle let as shown in Fig. 3.

With this arrangement, it will be obvious that by grasping the pull cord 13 and moving the toy over the floor or other surface, the rotation of the wheels 15 will serve to rotate the pulley 25 through the medium of "the axle 14. lhe rotating pulley 25 transmite motion to the fixed belt 24, which in turn transmits motion through the propeller 23. This rotates the propeller shaft 21, thus causing the automobile or cars to glide swiftly around the annular base plate.

The swift motion of toys appears to represent a speedy race of the toys. However the relationship of the cars is fixed. To take care of any irregiilarit-ies in the surface of the raceway, the pivotal connection of the arms with the propeller shaft is desirable.

By considering the detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, a clear understandingof the construction and operation of the invention will be had. Also, the advantages of compactness and convenience in arrangement of parts is quite clear, Therefore, a more lengthy description is believed to be unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and re-arrangement coming within the field of inven tion claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1.. In a mechanical toyof the class described, a frame, a transverse axle mounted for rotation on said frame, wheels on the ends of said axle, said wheels being located at the rear end of the frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation on the corresponding end of the frame, a circular table disposedin spaced relation above the intern'iediate portion of the frame, a propeller shaft, means for support ingthe said propeller shaft from the intermediate portion of the frame, said table having a central opening through and beyond which said propeller shaft extends, a pair of toy automobiles, arms rigidly connected with said automobiles and pivotally connected with said propeller shaft, a pulley on said propeller shaft, said pulley be ing located in a plane with said frame, a

driving pulley on the aforesaid axle, and a belt trained over said pulleys.

:2. In a structure of the class described, a frame comprising a pair of spaced side bars, connected together at their opposite ends, an axle mounted for rotation in said side bars adjacent the rear end of the frame, wheels fixedly mounted on said axle, a pulley carried by the intermediate portion of the axle and disposed between said side bars, said side bars being formed to provide a yoke at the front end of the frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation in said yoke, a horizontal circular table disposed above the intermediate portion of the frame, means for supporting said table from said frai'nc, said tablehaving a central opening, a vertically disposed propeller shaft extending up through the opening, supports and bearings for the lower end portion of said shaft, a horizontally disposed. piilley keyed upon said shaft, and coo iicrable with said supporting means, a belt trained over said pu leys, a

pair of imitation automobiles disposed for movement about the top surface of said table, arms carried by said auton'iobile, and connected at their inner ends with the extending upper end of said propeller shaft.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE W. GOULD. 

